The Barber of Seville

2016Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

He's wealthy, stealthy and head over heels.
She’s witty, pretty and equally smitten.
She's also inconveniently betrothed.
They need a plan. They call for their man:

Fi-ga-ro!

Figaro!

Figaro!

Enter Figaro, the friendly neighbourhood barber with wits and tricks as sharp as
his razors.

He sets to work to unite the young lovers in an evening of disguises and duplicity.

This delightful rollicking comedy took a young Rossini just 13 days to write. Playful
energy sparkles through as many famous tunes as you can pack into two-and-a-half hours.

A cast of great voices and high spirits play among a marvellous set of cartoonish
proportions — a world inspired by 1920s silent films.

International Rossini specialists join some of Opera Australia’s best comic
talents and conductor Andrea Molino in this side-splitting romp through Seville.

Head up the stairs at the Joan Sutherland Theatre to enjoy the pop-up bar with
an unbeatable view of the harbour, exclusive to ticket holders. The bar opens 90 minutes
before evening performances and an hour before matinees. See
the menu.

Act I

Scene i

Dr Bartolo, together with his ward, Rosina, were until recently resident in Madrid.
While there, Rosina had attracted the attention of the adventurous young Count Almaviva,
who, on their departure for Seville, has followed incognito, determined to woo and
win her. Disguised as a student called Lindoro, he serenades her at night below her
balcony, but is making very little progress when he meets, Figaro, a former servant
of his who had left his employ to set up independently as a barber. Apart from his
shop, Figaro also has a contract of service in Bartolo’s household, and the
two men strike a deal whereby Figaro will get Almaviva into the house.

Scene ii

Rosina is very excited by the attentions being paid her by the handsome young stranger
and dares write to him. She is so closely guarded by Bartolo, however, that the task
of getting the letter delivered threatens to be difficult. Figaro would seem to be
the answer. Bartolo is shrewdly aware that something is going on, but he can’t
quite pin it down. Basilio, who is Rosina’s music teacher but also an intriguer
in Bartolo’s service, warns him that Almaviva is in town and that he has designs
on Rosina. Since Bartolo wishes to marry her himself, he determines to make the necessary
arrangements at once.

Act II

Scene i

A complete stranger called Don Alonso arrives that evening to give Rosina her music
lesson instead of Basilio, who is sick. Bartolo accepts him only when he reveals that
he has a plan to trap Rosina and discredit Almaviva. When the lesson is under way,
Figaro arrives and insists on giving Bartolo his Tuesday shave. Suddenly, Basilio
walks in, quite healthy, but such is Bartolo’s confidence in Alonso that he
collaborates in getting rid of Basilio. Unfortunately, Alonso, who is Almaviva in
another disguise, overreaches himself and is caught out by Bartolo, but not before
arranging to carry Rosina off at midnight.

There is a storm. Basilio goes for the Notary to marry Rosina and Bartolo at once;
Bartolo goes for the police; Almaviva and Figaro bring a ladder.

Scene ii

Rosina remonstrates with Almaviva, but the confusion is quickly cleared up and
the elopement all but takes place. Then Basilio arrives with the Notary, and Bartolo
removes the ladder to the balcony. In the intervening few minutes the Notary marries
Almaviva and Rosina and Basilio witnesses the contract. The young lovers are happy,
Bartolo is defeated, while Figaro and Basilio make a lot of money.